In the night
a shadow disentangles
from the black

And begins
to move
matching her footsteps

Click of heels
on
wet stone

She is unaware
at
first

But the shadow
continues
to follow

An icy hand
grips
her heart

Against her better
judgement
she looks back

Behind her
a shadow solidifies
a plume of breath marking it's movement

Quickly she turns
and begins
to walk faster

Behind her
the footsteps
quicken

Her heart
begins a drum solo
in her chest

And she starts
a litany in her head
"I am almost home"

Ahead
she can see
the outside light on her porch

A cone
of warmth
almost within reach

Three steps
and she is there
fumbling for her key's

Finding them
she stops
suddenly

Pin drop
quiet
nothing moves

Did she lose him?
Is he gone?
strange

Just her
imagination
nothing there

She shrugs
and fits
the key in her door

She turns
back
a quick look

A glint of steel
a sharp
pain

Blood fountains
painting the air
a new macabre air brush

She knows nothing more.